I am happy to report that on this date in 1943, the National George Washington Carver Monument was founded by FDR.  This was the first national monument dedicated to an African American.  This was certainly something good that FDR did.  You can find the monument in Diamond, Missouri. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver_National_Monument http://shs.umsystem.edu/historicmissourians/name/c/carver/

I had never even heard of the Eighty Years War,  but on this date in 1573, the seven-month Siege of Haarlem ended. This was a battle where the Netherlands were defeated by Spain. It never cease to amaze me how may battles have been fought throughout history that I never heard of. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Haarlem_(1572-1573)#Surrender

Here is something I never would have known. On this date in 1580, the Ostrog Bible was first published. And what is this? It was the first complete Slavic Bible.  This means that Christians from Russia and surrounding areas finally had a Bible in their language.  It was also published in spite of Catholic objections. After all, publishing the Bible […]

I was never required to read this book, but I read it on my own in high school. On this date in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was published. It was an immediate bestseller and even won a Pulitzer Prize.  Here is what the author herself had to say about the critical acclaim she received. “I never […]

On this date in 1890, Wyoming became the forty-fourth state admitted to the union.  It is a breathtaking state to be sure,  but it is also the least populated state. It is also one of three states that shares the honor of having the first National park–Yellowstone. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyoming http://www.democraticunderground.com/108573 http://www.wyohistory.org/essays/wyoming-becomes-state-constitutional-convention-and-statehood-debates-1889-and-1890-%E2%80%94-and-the?page=3

Did you ever see the old Tarzan movies?  “Tarzan,” Johnny Weissmuller, was an Olympian swimmer. On this date in 1922, he broke Duke Kahanamoku’s world record on men’s 100 meter freestyle. Furthermore, this new record broke the minute barrier coming in at 58.6 seconds.  For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Weissmuller http://nowweknowem.com/2013/07/the-actor-famous-for-the-early-tarzan-movies-swam-the-100-meter-freestyle-in-58-6-seconds-today-in-1922-breaking-the-world-swimming-record-as-well-as-the-minute-barrier-now-we-know-em/ http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Johnny_Weissmuller

The great tradition of the Northwest Mounted Police,  or the Mounties, have a long-established tradition of going to remote places to straighten out difficult and dangerous situations. On this date in 1874, the Mounties began their great March West. It was an amazing spectacle of over 200 men plus animals. Their primary objective was Fort Whoop-Up and the dismantling of […]

I had not realized how far back in history wildlife preservation stretched.  On this date in 1911, the Convention between the United States and Other Powers Providing for the Preservation and Protection of Fur Seals was signed by the U. S.,  Great Britain, Japan, and Russia. It was the first international treaty that addressed wildlife preservation issues.   The terms outlawed […]

And now for some Australian history.  On this date in 1940, the Story Bridge opened in Australia.  This is the longest cantilever bridge in the country. What is a cantilever bridge?  So glad you asked. I had to look it up myself. It is a bridge that projects horizontally and is only supported on one end .  It is located […]

I was completely unaware of today’s feature.   On this date in 1775, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch petition as a way to keep the colonies out of war with Great Britain. They pledged allegiance to the king of England while affirming the rights of the colonists. The king refused to read the petition, and by August of […]